Archbishop Listecki performs Ash Wednesday Mass for high school students

Milwaukee's archbishop shared a message of positivity and discipline with area students on Ash Wednesday, the start of the Holy Season of Lent.

Archbishop Jerome Listecki drew crosses of ashes on students, parents and teachers at Pius XI High School in Milwaukee on Wednesday morning.

One prayer on the minds of some Catholics is for a new pope, because for the first in centuries, Lent begins with uncertainty.

"They're going to be looking for the best person to reflect the church at this time, so it's up to the Holy Spirit whether it will be short, a few days, a week or it's going to be literally months," Listecki said.

Still, Listecki said the focus of this season doesn't change.

"What I encourage people to do is do something positive. Every day, do something intentionally out of love for Christ, and it could be something very small," Listecki said.

The archbishop has made a tradition of saying Mass on Ash Wednesday at Pius is a tradition. This is the fourth year, and it's something students say they really look forward to.

Chris McAttee is a Pius senior and said the archbishop's visits have been enlightening.

"It's really nice to be able to center yourself for lent and having him there kind of this hierarchy of the church," McAtee said.

Pam Williams is an eighth-grader next door at St. Vincent Pallotti and said she's putting her needs aside.

"I'm going to increase my prayer life, and I'm going to try to help people more," Williams said.

Pius XI was the only school the archbishop attended Wednesday. He also said he's giving up some junk food during Lent.

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